Overview

• The Senate is expected to vote this week on the Social Security Fairness Act, which aims to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
• These provisions currently reduce Social Security benefits for about 2.8 million retirees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers, as well as their spouses.
• The bill has bipartisan support, with 62 Senate cosponsors, and passed the House last month in a 327-75 vote, but time is running short before the congressional session ends Friday.
• Critics argue the legislation would cost nearly $200 billion over the next decade and accelerate Social Security trust fund insolvency by six months, impacting long-term solvency.
• Proponents claim the bill corrects unfair benefit reductions for public workers, while opponents suggest alternative reforms to address the funding shortfall more sustainably.